Amtrak's redesigned NextGen Acela train service is coming later this month to South Station and the rest of the Boston-to-D.C. corridor.

Why it matters: The August 28 launch will be an upgrade to the country's only high-speed passenger rail service along the Northeast Corridor.

• The NextGen fleet is Amtrak's largest infrastructure investment in intercity rail. It's meant to be competitive with air travel for moving between Boston, New York and Washington.

Zoom in: New trains will reach speeds of 160 mph and feature an advanced tilt system that promises quieter operation.

• The cars will have enhanced Wi-Fi connectivity through 5G connections along more of the route.
• There are redesigned car interiors with more ergonomic seating and improved lighting.
• Amtrak is promising new dining options via the Cafe Acela service.
• Seats will have individual power outlets, USB ports and larger windows.

Another big boost comes with increased daily departure frequency compared to the current Acela schedule.

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Deehan here, back with Spill of the Hill, my column unraveling Massachusetts politics.

Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin, the state's census liaison and top election official, rejected President Trump's call for a new census excluding undocumented residents.

• "It's more illegal insanity from Trump," Galvin told Axios, calling the idea constitutionally prohibited and logistically impossible.

Catch up quick: In a Thursday Truth Social post, Trump called for a "new and highly accurate" census, adding that "[p]eople who are in our Country illegally WILL NOT BE COUNTED IN THE CENSUS."

Why it matters: Excluding noncitizens from the decennial count would impact congressional representation and federal funding allocation for states with large immigrant populations like Massachusetts.

• There have already been challenges counting residents in immigrant communities due to deportation fears. Galvin said that trend will harm the accuracy of the census in 2030.

What they're saying: "The idea you could do another census in the meantime and have it be accurate is ridiculous," Galvin said. "You just can't take a census overnight."

• The secretary said the goal of a legitimate census that's not based on a political agenda would be to count everyone in the jurisdiction regardless of legal status.

Galvin said Trump is acting like a "dictator" trying to harm his political opponents.

• Trump "simply wants to hold on to political power, raw political power, in any way he can. That's what every other dictator in the world does. So why shouldn't he?" Galvin said.

What's next: Massachusetts already has 2030 census preparations underway, including scheduled meetings this month.

Keep reading: Galvin's reelection thoughts

The city of Cambridge has reinforced its stance as a sanctuary city for immigrants amid renewed federal enforcement, elevating its protections for migrants to among the strongest in Massachusetts.

Why it matters: One of the most proudly progressive communities in the state — perhaps the country — is telling President Trump the city won't lift a finger to assist immigration enforcers.

Driving the news: The Cambridge City Council unanimously amended its 40-year-old Welcoming Community Ordinance on Monday night to further restrict police cooperation with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

What they're saying: "Cambridge is not going to lock down or make a deal with the Trump administration and weaken our protections," said Councilor Jivan Sobrinho-Wheeler, who championed the changes.

• "In fact, we're going to bolster them."

Go deeper: Cambridge wants to unmask ICE agents

⚽ Boston Legacy Football Club got a six-week extension from City Hall to secure financing for the White Stadium renovation project. (Boston Globe)

• City costs are expected to exceed $100 million, with the team on the hook for more than half of the total cost.

👶 70% of Massachusetts infants live in child care deserts with space for only one of every three children, new state data revealed. (CommonWealth Beacon)

• Families earning more than 150% of median income have 66% enrollment rates versus 51% for lower-income families.

🐕 A "stick library" for dogs opened at Fresh Pond Reservation in Cambridge, operating on the classic "take a stick, leave a stick" principle. (CBS Boston)

Vaccination coverage among American kindergartners decreased for all reported vaccines during the 2024-2025 school year.

Why it matters: 1.5% of kindergarten students in Mass. were exempt from some or all vaccines last school year, according to the CDC.

• 0.1% of students were exempt for medical reasons.

The remaining 1.3% of students had non-medical exemptions, mostly based on personal religious beliefs, though no major organized religions in Massachusetts prohibit vaccines.

Alan Dershowitz is threatening legal action against a Martha's Vineyard farmers market vendor who refused him service over the celebrity attorney's past clients.

Why it matters: The pierogi protestation shows how high political tensions can run and that Massachusetts has few legal protections against service refusal based on ideology.

Catch up quick: Good Pierogi co-owner Krem Miskevich denied the tasty Polish dumpling to Dershowitz because of his representation of Jeffrey Epstein and Donald Trump.

• There was a second confrontation between the pair on Wednesday when Dershowitz returned to Miskevich's stand looking to buy another pierogi.

Miskevich accused Dershowitz of harassment, unauthorized filming and launching a "public smear campaign" following the initial incident.

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